CE 416

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 2

FOUNDATION ENGINEERING

LABORATORY NUMBER 2: IMPROVISED SHEAR STRENGTH EXPERIMENT

Lab Date: June 14, 2017

Report Date: June 19, 2017

T.A.: Engr. Cristina Amor M. Rosales

Lab Group:

Lab Partners: Almendral, Adrian Joshua C.

Leal, Jhomesty
ABTRACT

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. OBJECTIVES 4

2. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 4

3. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT 4

4. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE 4

5. ANALYSIS OF DATA 5

6. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS 5

7. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 6

8. REFERENCES 6

9. APPENDIX A: FIGURES 7

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OBJECTIVES

To define shear strength of soil sample by experimentation

To know factors affecting the sample to slide down due to application of weight

To have the greatest amount of weight that can carry by the made sample

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Shear strength is a term used in soil mechanics to describe the magnitude of the shear

stress that a soil can sustain. The shear resistance of soil is a result of friction and interlocking of

particles, and possibly cementation or bonding at particle contacts. Due to interlocking,

particulate material may expand or contract in volume as it is subject to shear strains. If soil

expands its volume, the density of particles will decrease and the strength will decrease; in this

case, the peak strength would be followed by a reduction of shear stress. The stress-strain

relationship levels off when the material stops expanding or contracting, and when interparticle

bonds are broken. The theoretical state at which the shear stress and density remain constant

while the shear strain increases may be called the critical state, steady state, or residual strength.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

Empty plastic bottle (500 mL)

Dry soil( (Size of the number 40 sieve)

Ruler

Wire

Weight

Any compressing material

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

1. Sieve the soil sample to the numer 40 sieve. Assure that the soil have no more or less

than of the number 40 sieve.

2. Fill the empty bottle with the sieved soil.

3. Compress the soil in the bottle. Stop filling the bottle upto 2/3 full.

4. Put the wire with desire length to the bottle and then continue filling the bottle upto top.

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 5. Mark the top of the wire leveled with the soil with a marker.

6. Make a knot at the top of the wire.

7. Hang the bottle with wire and then put the weight.

8. Continue application of weight up to the bottle fail.

9. Record the weight and the wire length of the experiment.

ANALYSIS OF DATA

Table 1: Results for the experiment

Weight of bottle w/ sand=0.834 kg

Lwire=31cm

Lwire(inner)=125mm

Wload=1.162 kg

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

Based on the data presented, we found out that the bottle with sand has a weight of 0.834

kg. The sand is compressed well and the setting of the wire is centered. Comparing to other

groups, they have heavier weights than our experiment. We put 31 cm length of wire because no

certain length is required. After the placement of the weight on the sample, our set-up fails to the

first weight (1.162 kg). Other groups have heavier weights to carry with heavier bottles they

have.

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CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

From the experiment performed, we have observed that the weight of the bottle with

sand, compress state of the sample and the proper placement and compressive sides along the

wire affects the weight that the sample can carry.

Weight of the bottle with sand.

- The heavier the set-up the more the weight that it can carry.

Compress state of the sample

- The more compressed the soil inside, the more weight it can carry.

Proper placement and compressive sides along the wire

- We found out that the compressive part along the side of the wire affects also because it

holds the wire more in place.

The height of the wire doesnt affect the experiment because it has the same gravitational pull at

any length or elevation.

REFERENCES

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shear_strength_(soil)

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APPENDIX A: FIGURES